On Saturday, June 29, 2024, the graduation ceremony of the Transatlantic Institute's MBA Cohort 2023-24 took place in a festive setting on the UWF campus in Pensacola (Florida).
After the 24 students were able to experience the beginning of their Master's program on the UWF campus in January 2023, a second stay followed from June 17, 2024. This year's program also included a visit to the stock exchange and various investment banks in New York.
Against the backdrop of the international match between Germany and Denmark, the graduates, their relatives and friends as well as members of the faculty from Pensacola and Ludwigshafen met before the opening of the academic ceremony on June 29, 2024. They watched the soccer match together in a seminar room in the College of Business. This social gathering provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to catch up. The excitement of the soccer game increased the "positive nervousness" of the graduates before their ceremony and helped to heighten the anticipation of the upcoming ceremony. We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Richard Hawkins from UWF for the organization.
Upon entering the atrium, Melissa Brode, Associate Dean of the College of Business at UWF, welcomed the guests. In the audience were nearly 70 guests who had traveled to the U.S. specifically to attend the graduation ceremony in Pensacola.
She also conveyed warm greetings on behalf of the Dean, Dr. Richard Fountain, and emphasized how proud UWF is of this year's graduates.
This year is the 19th group to graduate from the Master's program - an outstanding milestone in the history of the two partner universities. The Master's program is the "crown jewel" of the UWF and offers Transatlantic Institute students the unique opportunity to earn an AACSB-accredited degree at the UWF while pursuing their regular profession in Germany. The cooperation between the Transatlantic Institute and the University of West Florida (UWF) has existed for over 20 years and enjoys an excellent reputation.
Guest speaker Jim Hoskins, founder and president of CogAbility, took the floor. He specializes in the field of artificial intelligence and pointed out that AI is playing an increasingly important role, especially in today's working world, and is the most powerful thing humans have ever invented, both in a positive and negative sense. A world of unlimited possibilities and opportunities is open to graduates and they should use AI according to the motto "don't be afraid, be a leader" and help steer this technology in the right direction.
Martin Fast and Anna-Marie Freitag took the floor on behalf of the students. Anna-Marie Freitag explained that the past 18 months have been an extraordinary journey, characterized by both hard work and wonderful memories. On behalf of all the graduating students, both thanked their families and loved ones for their support, as well as those responsible for the student program. They emphasized the importance of teamwork during their studies and highlighted that group cohesion was an essential part of their success. Particular emphasis was placed on the cultural component and networking in a transatlantic context, which were perceived as especially valuable and significant.
The 24 participants in the program were made up of different nationalities (including Spanish, Albanian, Polish, Italian, Portuguese and Zulu). At the end of the closing speech, some of the participants took to the stage again and thanked all those responsible for the program in their respective national languages. This gave the event a special international touch and showed the diversity and multicultural character of the program.
As a crowning Degree, one participant thanked the participants in genuine Palatinate, as befits an institute from Ludwigshafen. This moment brought a smile to everyone's faces.
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab, Managing Director of the Transatlantic Institute, followed with his speech. He also welcomed the guests on behalf of Kathrin Paul, Associate Director, and addressed inspiring words to the students. He pointed out that the knowledge acquired during their studies will help them to see the world with different eyes from now on. He went on to say that they had been able to significantly expand their knowledge of other cultures and that this was the key to today's business world. The experiences from the study program are important to create a peaceful environment in the world and it is the right way to open up and learn from each other. Prof. Dr. Raab explained that in today's world, it is essential to strengthen the transatlantic dialog and move closer together, especially in light of current events.
220 students have already successfully completed the Master's program. Prof. Dr. Raab thanked the UWF, in particular Melissa Brode and Richard Hawkins, for their trusting and respectful cooperation, which forms the basis of the entire program. He paid tribute to the graduates for their motivation, tireless ambition and team spirit.
Melissa Brode then moved on to the official awarding of the certificates. The 23 graduates present were called up individually by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab and received their certificates to thunderous applause.
At the end of the ceremony, Melissa Brode thanked the team members of both institutions as well as the students and their families on behalf of the UWF.
The visit of an alumnus from the first group, who had completed the cooperative MBA program 19 years ago, was particularly special. The graduate had recommended a member of staff to also take part in the program and visited him with his two children. This underscores the strong bond former students have with their alma mater and how these positive experiences are passed on to the next generation.
The celebration continued at a classy restaurant in picturesque downtown Pensacola and was enjoyed in high spirits. This was certainly not the last stop on this eventful day for the graduates.
Those interested in the program can still apply to Kathrin Paul until the end of August 2024.
Further information: https://ti.hwg-lu.de/
Article from 01.07.2024, Janina Steffens and Kathrin Paul
